by Hannah Wingo
enGAGE Mobility is excited to announce our next grant recipient — Emma Walker of Republic, MO. Emma’s family will receive $15,000 from enGAGE to go towards their van in October 2023. Emma is seven years old and attends Sweeny Elementary. She has a contagious smile and doesn’t let things slow her down, although she battles epilepsy and has a diagnosis of Rett syndrome. Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that occurs almost exclusively in girls, more rarely in boys, and leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of the child’s life: their ability to speak, walk, eat, and even breathe easily. Emma’s mom Jennifer teaches 5th grade, and her dad Jarod works for the Springfield Airport. Their family has raised over half the funds needed to purchase their wheelchair-accessible van, and the grant from enGAGE will help them close the gap for the rest of the purchase price. Emma will be riding in style in just a few more weeks and we can’t wait to celebrate with her!